Past Times

Gallery: Fun memories from Aberdeen Gang Show through the years

1995 - Colin Thomson, left, and Stephen Wightman with the Gang Show mascot.

By Kirstin Brown

March 19 2023, 6:00 am

March 19 2023, 6:00 am

Every year, Aberdeen Scouts put on an “all-year-round” pantomime and it’s that time of year once again.

Aberdonian scouts have just rounded up their Gang Show performance this year, which has been a long-running tradition since 1960 when it was first performed in Aberdeen at the Tivoli.

This year’s show, Back on Board, marked Aberdeen Scout Gang Show’s return to the stage since 2020.

To celebrate Aberdeen Gang Show’s return, let’s hop back in time using these photos from our archives and take a look at the Scouts‘ show through the decades.

Do you recognise any familiar faces in these photos? Do you have any fond Gang Show memories? let us know in the comments.

1988 – At Gang Show rehearsals at the College of Education Theatre, Hilton Drive, are, from top, Ken MacKenzie, Ruth Dyer, Elinor Hubbuck, Joanna Ewens and Russell Evans.

Two boys with the Gang Show mascot between them on their shoulders. — 1995 – Colin Thomson, left, and Stephen Wightman with the Gang Show mascot.

Two boys and a girl standing under an umbrella — 1992 – Taking a break from rehearsals are (from left) Michael Strachan, of 65th Milltimber Scouts, Wendy Robertson, of 1st Aberdeen Venture Scouts, and Colin Thomson, of Stoneywood.

4 boys in costumes with their hands up in "scary" poses — 1992 – Gang Show ‘martian’ David Coutts (13) with (from left) Gregor Angus (11), Peter Torrance (11) and Martyn Graham (12).

Gang Show cast members in colourful costumes posing under two large rainbow coloured umbrellas. — 2000 – Gang Show cast members getting into the carnival spirit for the annual extravaganza.

Four boys playing instruments for the gang show — 1995 – Scouts Donald McPherson, Scott Annison, Nicholas Aitken and Iain Small tuning up for the show.

Two boys pulling on each others ties with red noses on — 1989 – Gang Show members Steven Jenkins, 11, 63rd Cove Bay Scouts, and Alan Rennie, 14, of the 35th Mastrick Scouts.

Three boys with a giant cardboard clapperboard. — 1992 – Aberdeen scout Peter Torrance (11) got more than he bargained for from fellow cast members Martin Webster (left) and Derek Milligan (both 15) during rehearsals for the “Take 92” Gang Show.

Three boy scouts with flags draped over their shoulders, saluting — 1994 – Stephen Wightman, Alan Stewart and John Laughlin during rehearsals.

Two boys with cravats and wigs on holding a french horn. — 1995 – Charles Thomas and Alain English rehearsing for their Gang Show performance at St Machar Academy.

A scout dressed as Elvis for Aberdeen Gang Show along with an actor who is also dressed as elvis for a separate production. — 1992 – Andrew Illingworth, who was playing Elvis in the Scout Gang Show, met actor Ian Salisbury who was playing young Elvis, in Elvis the Musical and Show at Aberdeen.

Six cheerleaders standing in two rows with their pom-poms in the air — 1994 – Gang Show cheerleaders Judith Meldrum, Cherry Elder, Elaine Emery, Jill Simpson, Carol Somerville and Suzanne Milligan rehearsing for their show Expressly American.

Three scouts, two girls and a boy standing in a line with their hands on each others shoulders, smiling at each other — 1993 – Isobel Kerr, Jennie Taylor and Gareth Clifford all smiles ahead of the 1993 Aberdeen Gang Show.

Two people dressed as pideons for Aberdeen Gang Show — 2000 – Pigeons, alias Finlay McPherson and Ian Dow, enjoy the delights of a Gang Show wheelie bin.

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